Friday, September 12, 2003

Residents have several choices in November elections

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
Special to The Citizen

The three cities in South Fulton County may have some new decision makers when the ballots are cast November 4.

Eight council seats are up for grabs, with several candidates qualifying in the three cities.

In Union City, incumbents Joan Stewart and Helen Turner are looking to return to the City Council. But three candidates are challenging the incumbents and may give "The Progressive City" a new viewpoint in November.

Council qualifiers in Union City are:

Alissa King, 26, a free-lance journalist.

Vertisha Hardwick, 40, a legal secretary.

Odell Mashburn, 76, retired.

In Fairburn, Edna Lyons, 48, a homemaker has thrown her hat in the ring along with Ron Alderman, 61, a real estate broker, and Mario Avery, 38, to challenge the three incumbents; Marion Johnson, Harvey Melear and Frankie Arnold.

Just south of Fairburn in Palmetto, things are a little quieter this election season. Patti Hughes, 42, a custodian at Arlington Christian, is challenging Joyce Baker, Thomas Morrow and Leon Sumlin in the City Council races.

But in the mayoral election, the residents seem pleased with Mayor Clark Boddie, who is facing no opposition in his race.

The races in all the cities are at large and polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.